Boeing P-8 Poseidon

The Boeing P-8
Poseidon will replace the ageing fleet of the P-3 Orion maritime
patrol aircraft

Entered service

2012

Crew

9 men

Dimensions and weight

Length

39.47 m

Wing span

35.7
m

Height

12.83 m

Weight (empty)

62.7 t

Weight (maximum take off)

85.3 t

Engines and performance

Engines

2 x CFM56-7B turbofans

Traction

2 x 120 kN

Maximum speed

907 km/h

Cruising speed

815 km/h

Service ceiling

12.5 km

Range

3 700 km

Ferry range

7 500 km

Combat radius

2 222 km

Endurance

4 h for ASW mission

Armament

Torpedoes

Mk.54 anti-submarine torpedoes

Missiles

Harpoon, SLAM or AGM-65 Maverick, AIM-9
Sidewinder or AIM-120 AMRAAM

Bombs

free-fall bombs

Other

depth charges

The Boeing
P-8 Poseidon is the US Navy's next generation long-range maritime
patrol, anti-submarine warfare, anti-shipping, intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. In 2011 the US Navy
awarded a contract for six initial production P-8A Poseidon
aircraft. The first operational aircraft was delivered in 2012. The US Navy plans to
purchase a total of 117 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to replace
the previous
Lockheed P-3 Orion fleet, that are
approaching the end of their operational life. Australia and India
also ordered this new aircraft.

The P-8A is
a derivative of the ubiquitous commercial Boeing 737-800 and has a
wings of the 737-900. It is larger than the previous Lockheed P-3.
The Poseidon has additional fuel tanks in the aft for extended
range. It is worth mentioning that its maximum fuel capacity is 34
t and gives it a flight endurance of 4 hours on station.

The new
aircraft is powered by two high-bypass CFM International CFM56-7B
turbofan engines. The turbofan engines were deliberately selected,
as they are more powerful, more fuel efficient and have a number of
other advantages. The same engines are used on Australian and
Turkish Boeing 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft, as
well as the US Navy's C-40 Clipper transport. The Poseidon is not
the only maritime patrol aircraft to use the jet engines. The
British
Nimrod has filled a similar
role for decades. Despite that the Poseidon can loiter at a speed of
333 km/h over the sea at an altitude of only 60 m.

This
maritime patrol and ASW aircraft will have up to 7 operator consoles
in its cabin. Aircraft will have electro-optical and infrared
sensor turret, maritime surveillance radar, signal intelligence
system. Its radar is capable of detection, classification and
identification of ships, small vessels and surfaced submarines. It
also has costal surveillance capability. The P-8A will be also
fitted with advanced magnetic anomaly detection system for submarine
tracking. The Poseidon can be used for search and rescue operations.

The Boeing
P-8A Poseidon will carry lightweight Raytheon Mk.54 anti-submarine
torpedoes. It may also carry other torpedoes, missiles, free-fall
bombs, depth charges, mines, or sonbuoys in its rotary integral
weapon bay, located beneath the forward section of the fuselage.
Air-to-surface and air-to air missiles, such as
Harpoon anti-ship
missiles, SLAM or AGM-65 Maverick land attack missiles, and AIM-9
Sidewinders or AIM-120 AMRAAMs will be carried on the underwing
hardpoints.

The Boeing
P-8I Neptune is a version for the Indian Navy. India ordered 8 of these
aircraft. First aircraft was delivered in 2013.

There is
also a Boeing P-8 Airborne Ground Surveillance (AGS) version. In
2010 it was proposed to the US Air Force as a replacement of the
E-8 Joint STARS aircraft. This aircraft is intended for tracking
moving vehicles on the ground.